US20220031032A1

US20220031032A1 - Bifold wallets with elastic sleeve

Info

Publication number: US20220031032A1
Application number: US16/983,884
Authority: US
Inventors: Colby S. Bauer; Dillon M. Boyes
Original assignee: Thread Wallets LLC
Current assignee: Thread Wallets LLC
Priority date: 2020-08-03
Filing date: 2020-08-03
Publication date: 2022-02-03
Also published as: GB2597842A; CA3125396A1; AU2021206921A1; CA3125396C; GB202110939D0; USD1075293S1

Abstract

A bifold wallet can comprise a rectangular base comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface can include a first end and a second end. The first end can comprise an elastic sleeve with a decorative design, and the second end comprises a first and a second inner pocket. The outer surface can comprise at least one outer pocket. The rectangular base can include at least one fold.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wallets are traditionally designed to hold paper currency, coins, credit cards, bank cards, identification cards, etc. Wallets may be constructed from various fabric and leather material, or a combination thereof. Durability may be a consideration when selecting a material for a wallet. Leather is used in a wide range of application, including in the construction of wallets, due to the durable nature of leather. Manufacturers may also select heavier textile fabrics to produce wallets. However, neither leather nor heavy textile fabric typically offer any elasticity. With use, leather and heavy textiles may become stretched and therefore less able to hold the contents of the wallet securely.
Various shapes of wallets are well known, including a card holder, a bifold, and a trifold. Such wallets vary significantly in size, especially when filled. Typically, wallets are sized to fit into trouser and/or jacket pockets. Wallet sleeves or pockets typically comprise a straight seam and may be composed of the same material as the wallet body.
Accordingly, there are a number of problems in the art that can be addressed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations described herein are directed to a bifold wallet and methods of production therefor. In at least one implementation, a bifold wallet comprises a rectangular base. The rectangular base can include an inner surface comprising an elastic sleeve, and at least one additional inner pocket. The rectangular base can also include an outer surface comprising at least one outer pocket.
Additionally or alternatively, in at least one implementation, a bifold wallet can comprise a rectangular base comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface can include a first end and a second end. The first end can comprise an elastic sleeve with a decorative design, and the second end comprises a first and a second inner pocket. The outer surface can comprise at least one outer pocket. The rectangular base can include at least one fold.
Finally, in at least one implementation, a bifold wallet with an elastic sleeve can comprise a foldable rectangular base comprising a height in the range of 5-6 inches and a length in the range of 3-4 inches. An inner surface can comprise an elastic sleeve with a decorative design, and a first and a second inner pocket. An outer surface can include at least one outer pocket. The foldable rectangular base can comprise a width of less than ½ inch when folded.
Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the examples as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates top, facing, left perspective view of an exemplary bifold wallet with an elastic sleeve in accordance with one or more implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates an elevated facing view thereof;

FIG. 1C illustrates an elevated rear view thereof;

FIG. 1D illustrates an elevated left side view thereof;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top, facing, left perspective view of an exemplary bifold wallet in a folded configuration in accordance with one or more implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates an elevated facing view thereof;

FIG. 2C illustrates an elevated rear view thereof; and

FIG. 2D illustrates an elevated right side view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Implementations described herein are directed to a bifold wallet and methods of production therefor. In at least one implementation, a bifold wallet comprises a rectangular base. The rectangular base can include an inner surface comprising an elastic sleeve, and at least one additional inner pocket. The rectangular base can also include an outer surface comprising at least one outer pocket.
The addition of an elastic sleeve can provide several functional benefits to a bifold wallet. For example, elastic can allow a user to more easily add and remove contents to and from the sleeve. The flexibility of the elastic can allow the sleeve to expand to accommodate extra contents. Elastic can also retain its structural integrity despite repeated stretching, unlike leather and heavy fabric, which can become stretched and therefore less able to hold the contents of the wallet securely.
Additionally, in at least one implementation, the bifold wallet comprises a curved pocket. Like the elastic sleeve, the curved pocket can improve the user's ability to remove and replace contents, for example by exposing a straight edge of the enclosed article (e.g., cash, card, ID, etc.) The curved pocket also can allow the user to view a portion of the contents of the pocket without removal of the contents.
Turning now to the Figures, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate various views of an exemplary bifold wallet 100 in an open configuration. As shown in FIG. 1A, the bifold wallet comprises an inside surface 105 and an outside surface 110 formed by the opposing sides of a rectangular base 115.
In at least one implementation, manufacturers can construct the rectangular base 115 from a single piece of fabric. Alternatively, manufacturers can layer two or more pieces of fabric to create the rectangular base 115. Manufacturers can use a variety of different fabrics, or combinations thereof, to construct the rectangular base 115, including leather, faux-leather, canvas (made from cotton, linen, or polyvinyl chloride), felt (natural or synthetic), or other suitable materials for wallet construction. In at least one implementation, manufacturers can use a single piece of leather fabric as the rectangular base 115. In an alternative implementation, manufacturers can layer canvas (as the outside surface 110) and felt (as the inside surface 105) to create the rectangular base 115.
FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D further show that on the inside surface 105, the bifold wallet 100 can include an elastic sleeve 120. In at least one implementation, the elastic sleeve 120 is formed from a tight-knit elastic material that can expand and contract to secure the contents of the elastic sleeve 120. Additionally, the elastic sleeve 120 can include a decorative design including a floral, linear, tribal, geometric, or abstract print.
As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D, the inside surface 105 can further include a first and a second inner pocket 125 a and 125 b, respectively. The elastic sleeve 120 can be on a first end of the inside surface 105 a, and the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b can be stacked on the opposing second end of the inside surface 105 b.
In at least one implementation, the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b comprise the same fabric as the rectangular base 115. For example, if the rectangular base 115 is leather, the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b can also be leather. Alternatively, if the rectangular base 115 comprises two pieces of layered fabric, the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b can comprise either fabric or a combination thereof. In at least one implementation, the outside surface 110 is canvas, the inside surface 105 is felt, and the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b are canvas.
Additionally or alternatively, the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b can include a lining. Manufacturers can choose from a variety of different fabrics, or combinations thereof, to construct the lining of the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b. In at least one implementation, the lining is synthetic fabric and/or designed to be RFID blocking. For example, the synthetic fabric can comprise fabric with one or more metals interwoven therein, such as nickel, iron, silver, copper, chromium, molybdenum, or other suitable materials and/or combinations thereof.
Although FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D show the bifold wallet 100 comprising the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b, in at least one implementation, the bifold wallet 100 comprises a single inner pocket located on the second side of the inside surface 105 b. Further, each of the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b can have a curved top seam, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The curved top seams can improve the user's ability to remove and replace contents within the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b. The curved top seam can also allow the user to view a portion of the contents of the pocket without removal of the contents.
FIGS. 1A, 1C, and 1D show that the outside surface 110 can include a first end 110 a and a second end 110 b. In at least one implementation, the first end of the outside surface 110 a comprises an outer pocket 130. Similar to the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b, the outer pocket 130 can comprise the same fabric as the rectangular base 115. Additionally or alternatively, the outer pocket 130 can include a lining. Manufacturers can choose from a variety of different fabrics, or combinations thereof, to construct the lining of the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b. In at least one implementation, the lining is synthetic fabric and/or designed to be RFID blocking.
In FIGS. 1A, 1C, and 1D, the bifold wallet 100 is shown with a single outer pocket 130. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not so limited. In at least one implementation, the outside surface 110 comprises more than one outer pocket. The second end of the outside surface 110 b can comprise at least one additional outer pocket. Alternatively, at least one additional outer pocket can be stacked on top of the outer pocket 130. Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, the outer pocket 130 can have a curved top seam like the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b.
FIG. 1B shows that the bifold wallet 100 can have a height D1 of about 5-6 inches and a length D2 of about 3-4 inches when in the open configuration. In at least one implementation, the bifold wallet 100 comprises a height D1 of about 5.41 inches (13.75 cm) and a length D2 of about 3.84 inches (9.75 cm) when in the open configuration. Other implementations of the bifold wallet can include various other dimensions.
FIGS. 1A-1D further show that the bifold wallet 100 can include stitching 135 which extends between the inside surface 105 and outside surface 110. The stitching 135 can prevent the separation of layers that comprise the rectangular base 115. The stitching 135 can also secure the elastic sleeve 120, the first and second inner pockets 125, and the outer pocket 130 to the rectangular base 115. In at least one implementation the various sleeves and pockets are also heat bonded to the rectangular base 115.
FIGS. 2A-2D show the exemplary bifold wallet 100 in a folded configuration in accordance with one or more implementations of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2D, when folded, the first end of the inside surface 105 a directly opposes the second end of the inside surface 105 b. FIGS. 2A and 2D show that the elastic sleeve 120 faces the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b when the bifold wallet 100 is folded.
FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate a facing and rear view, respectively, of the bifold wallet 100 when folded. Like in FIG. 1B, FIG. 2B shows that the bifold wallet 100 can have a length D2 of about 3-4 inches. FIG. 2B also shows that the bifold wallet 100 can have a height D3 of about 2.5-3 inches when in the folded configuration. In at least one implementation, the bifold wallet 100 comprises a height D3 of about 2.72 inches (6.9 cm) when folded. FIG. 2D, which illustrates a right side view of the bifold wallet 100, shows that the bifold wallet can have a depth D4 of less than ½ inch when in a folded configuration.
The facing view of the bifold wallet 100, shown in FIG. 1B, shows the second end of the outside surface 110 b, which comprises the rectangular base 115. The rear view of the bifold wallet 100, shown in FIG. 1C, shows the first end of the outside surface 110 a, which includes the rectangular base 115 and the outer pocket 130.
The present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A bifold wallet comprising:

a rectangular base comprising:

an inner surface comprising:

an elastic sleeve; and

at least one additional inner pocket; and

an outer surface comprising at least one outer pocket.

2. The bifold wallet of claim 1, wherein the rectangular base comprises a single piece of fabric.

3. The bifold wallet of claim 2, wherein the single piece of fabric is leather.

4. The bifold wallet of claim 1, wherein the rectangular base comprises at least two bonded fabric pieces.

5. The bifold wallet of claim 4, wherein the at least two bonded fabric pieces are canvas and felt.

6. The bifold wallet of claim 1, wherein the rectangular base has a height in the range of 5-6 inches and a length in the range of 3-4 inches.

7. The bifold wallet of claim 1, wherein the elastic sleeve includes a decorative design.

8. The bifold wallet of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional inner pocket and the at least one outer pocket include a lining.

9. The bifold wallet of claim 8, wherein the lining is RFID blocking.

10. A bifold wallet comprising:

a rectangular base comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;

the inner surface comprising a first end and a second end, wherein:

the first end comprises an elastic sleeve with a decorative design; and

the second end comprises a first and a second inner pocket; and

the outer surface comprises at least one outer pocket;

wherein the rectangular base includes at least one fold.

11. The bifold wallet of claim 10, wherein the rectangular base comprises a single piece of leather fabric.

12. The bifold wallet of claim 10, wherein the rectangular base comprises at least two bonded fabric pieces.

13. The bifold wallet of claim 12, wherein the at least two bonded fabric pieces are canvas and felt.

14. The bifold wallet of claim 10, wherein the first and second inner pockets are stacked on the second end of the inner surface.

15. The bifold wallet of claim 10, wherein the at least one outer pocket comprises a curved top seam.

16. A bifold wallet with an elastic sleeve comprising:

a foldable rectangular base comprising a height in the range of 5-6 inches and a length in the range of 3-4 inches;

an inner surface comprising:

an elastic sleeve with a decorative design; and

a first and a second inner pocket; and

an outer surface comprising at least one outer pocket;

wherein the foldable rectangular base comprises a width of less than ½ inch when folded.

17. The bifold wallet with the elastic sleeve of claim 16, wherein when the rectangular base is folded, the elastic sleeve faces the first and second inner pockets.

18. The bifold wallet with the elastic sleeve of claim 16, wherein the foldable rectangular base comprises a single piece of leather fabric.

19. The bifold wallet with the elastic sleeve of claim 16, wherein the foldable rectangular base comprises at least two bonded fabric pieces.

20. The bifold wallet with the elastic sleeve of claim 19, wherein the at least two bonded fabric pieces are canvas and felt.